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Old 03-30-2010, 06:42 PM
  #10  
TheReelDeel33
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Joined APC: Jul 2008
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I don't know much at all about cropdusting, but am also interested, mostly cause i've grown up on farms and def picture me as the type of kid to live where property is plentiful and there are no major cities or airports anywhere around (when I eventually can afford to move)

But what I do know about crop dusting are the basics... I'm pretty sure almost all the planes are taildraggers, and usually flown out of grass strips. Your gonna be real heavy on take off, and climb performance might not be great. Crop dusting involves alot of maunuevering at low altitudes (I consider altitude and engine oil a pilot's life blood so being low isn't for the faint of heart) and as you spray your weight is changing as well as your CG. I've never dealt with that aside from burning fuel but I know a changing CG can be deadly if not handled right... I believe that had somethin to do with the bonanza becoming known as the "v-tailed doctor killer." I don't know where you fly now, but for me it is in the NJ/Phili area where VFR landmarks are plentiful, and NJ hasn't entirely lost it's agriculture roots but the farms are fading fast. I see alot of cropdusting business moving midwest where there are still farms, and where EVERYTHING looks the same. I've flown out there once and compared to what I'm used to navigation was alot harder. You don't wanna focus in on a good spray, get confused as to where you are, and not be able to find your landing strip. Not to mention the actual spray! Have you ever tried dropping something out of a plane into a garbage can? I did in a flying competition... until you actually try it, you don't appreciate how much the drag and wind really screws up your aim.

What I'm getting at is if you could find a job crop dustin with less than 1,000 hours i'd be surprised, but even if you did it might not be the best idea to take it. I see it being something where you really gotta know your stuff... which is personal. Some pilots might be ready in a few hundred hours, but I could see others taking alot longer.
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